PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Sugar factory in northern Baghlan province has been reactivated and resumed operation after a long time, an official said on Thursday.
Built by Germany in 1941, the Baghlan sugar factory stopped operation in 1993 due to civil war. The past government also strived to make the factory operational but due to the lack of beetroot the attempt remained unsuccessful.
Mullah Alam Majeedi, the governor spokesperson, said efforts to reactivate the Baghlan sugar factory entered last stages.
“The Baghlan sugar factory, which had been inoperative due to the previous administration's neglect, fortunately, with the formation of the new government, work on the factory began. It was inaugurated last year and sugar beets were planted on the lands of the Spinzer Company, harvesting drive has begun, and the factory would soon start producing sugar.”
He said that this factory, which was ready to produce sugar as before, would provide employment opportunities for dozens of people once it started operating, and in addition, the economy of farmers in the province would be strengthened through the cultivation of sugar beets.
Salahuddin, an old employee of the factory, said the sugar factory had been ready for production and was operational before, but with the advent of the current system, it has been ready for production once again.
“This factory used to produce 1,200 bags (one bag 50-kilogram) of sugar in a single shift with 500 employees, and 1,200 bags of sugar in a day shift, now, thanks to the efforts of the officials, it is ready for production, we are waiting for the sugar beets to be collected and arrive, so we can start production.
Abdul Rahman, another worker of the factory, said a large number of people would get work opportunities after the opening of the factory.
He said: “I am happy to earn a halal living in my area, I work. More such factories should be activated so that our youth do not have to travel elsewhere, they should work in their own villages, and more investment should be made in such companies.”
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